Judge denies bail for driver accused of hitting unhoused woman in Brossard, Que.

A 46-year-old man accused in a hit and run that seriously injured an unhoused woman in Brossard, Que., last month, has been denied bail. 

Quebec court Judge Jean-Philippe Marcoux announced his decision on Monday at the Longueuil courthouse after taking the weekend to deliberate. He agreed with the Crown that Luigi Fragomele poses a threat to public safety.

Fragomele, who has been charged with dangerous driving, assault with a weapon — a vehicle — leaving the scene of an accident and mischief, will remain detained until his trial.

Marcoux said the circumstances surrounding the events are shocking and involve "gratuitous violence" against two vulnerable, homeless people who were strangers to the defendant.

He concluded that releasing Fragomele could undermine the public's trust in the justice system.

The victim, a 44-year-old woman experiencing homelessness, suffered a broken ankle in the incident, which occurred on a residential street beside a makeshift encampment erected by the woman and a friend a day before the alleged assault.

During the bail hearing on Friday, the Crown presented evidence including surveillance footage from a nearby business showing the accused's vehicle entering the area where the encampment was located — twice.

The court also heard 911 calls denouncing the incident and the testimony of a neighbour, who said Fragomele had remarked that "he was going to take care of it" during a conversation about the encampment.

The defence had proposed several conditions for Fragomele's release, including that he give up his driver's licence and live with his father, who resides near his workplace and undergo therapy if necessary.

In his decision, Marcoux said the proposed bail conditions for the accused weren't sufficient to mitigate the "serious risk" he poses.